Watch Paparazzi

Boxer David Haye spotted wearing Patek Philippe

David Haye, the former WBA heavyweight and WBC, WBA, and IBF cruiserweight world champion, was recently spotted wearing one of the most technically and aesthetically compelling references in the current Patek Philippe catalog: the Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1AR, a steel and rose gold model with a blue dial that sits firmly in the upper echelon of the modern sport-watch market.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1AR houses caliber CH 28-520 C, a manufacture movement featuring a column wheel, a lateral clutch, and a flyback function — capabilities rarely combined at this level of finishing. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 45-hour power reserve, and is visible through a sapphire caseback. The 40.5mm case mixes brushed and polished steel with rose gold pushers, crown, and bracelet center links, producing the recognizable two-tone look that the 5980/1AR has become known for. The embossed blue dial carries horizontal stripes — the signature Nautilus texture — alongside a 60-minute chronograph counter at 6 o'clock and a date window at 3.

The reference 5980 was introduced in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Nautilus, designed by Gérald Genta and launched in 1976. The 5980/1AR variant arrived as part of a family that includes full steel and full gold versions, but collectors have consistently gravitated toward the two-tone configuration for its versatility and visual impact. It represents Patek Philippe's most complex Nautilus offering in regular production.

Haye, who fought professionally from 2002 to 2018, has cultivated a public image that extends well beyond the ring, and his watch choices reflect an educated collector's sensibility. The 5980/1AR is not a casual impulse purchase — it signals awareness of what the integrated-bracelet chronograph category actually represents technically.

At a UK list price of approximately £54,190 (around $76,300 USD), the Nautilus 5980/1AR already demands a serious commitment. On the secondary market, however, the reference commands significantly more, with current grey-market valuations reaching approximately £90,000 — or roughly $127,000 USD — underlining the sustained demand for this Patek Philippe reference among collectors and enthusiasts alike.